Ex-Policeman Faces Charges Over Sun Payments

A former police constable is to face charges over claims he sold information to journalists at The Sun newspaper.

Alan Tierney, who used to work for Surrey Police, was allegedly paid £1,750 for giving details of two cases that were linked to high-profile individuals.

He is accused of passing on information about a domestic violence case, including the name and address of a witness, as well as details of a shoplifting offence.

The details were allegedly handed over in 2009.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said Tierney will be charged with two counts of misconduct in public office.

He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on a later date.

Alison Levitt QC, principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions, said prosecutors had also considered information relating to a member of the public but decided there was insufficient evidence to take further action.

Tierney will be charged as a result of Operation Elveden, the Metropolitan Police inquiry into alleged corrupt payments to public officials.

More than 50 people have been arrested, with former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks, The Sun chief reporter John Kay and Ministry of Defence employee Bettina Jordan-Barber among those who have been charged.

David Cameron's former spin doctor Andy Coulson and former News Of The World royal correspondent Clive Goodman also face charges.